Converting a ford 1700 into forklift

[RyanL]

Steering cylinder roughed in. Just old 8" stroke cylinder had laying around. Welded orginal ball joint end on cylinder rod. Then tacked up swivel end for other end of cylinder mount.

 

[RyanL]

Not much time to work on project lately. But here few pics of steering cylinder. Not perfect but I think it will work.

 

[RyanL]

Well project is kinda at stand still till i get some extra money for materials and parts. Sorry

 

[chopped]

time for a fund raiser... bake sale anyone? Seriously its a great project to follow. The 1700 was my first new tractor..sure is a solid one..

 

[Mathias NY]

RyanL - I just started following your project, very impressive. I am slowly accumulating parts to do a similar type of project with a Case DO.

Do you expect any trouble with your steering cylinder? Most steering cylinders are designed to use the same fluid volume in both directions. You mentioned that it was just a cylinder that you had laying around, so it probably takes more fluid to extend than to retract.

I ask because my project is still on the drawing board and I've been wondering if I will need to find a specialized cylinder or not.

 

[RyanL]

RyanL - I just started following your project, very impressive. I am slowly accumulating parts to do a similar type of project with a Case DO.

Do you expect any trouble with your steering cylinder? Most steering cylinders are designed to use the same fluid volume in both directions. You mentioned that it was just a cylinder that you had laying around, so it probably takes more fluid to extend than to retract.

I ask because my project is still on the drawing board and I've been wondering if I will need to find a specialized cylinder or not.

Hi, well to be honest with you i never thought much about it. I'm pretty sure rock crawler setups use just a regular tie rod cylinder mounted to front axle with orbital steering valve. I just centered my cylinder up so it's half way on its 8" stroke when wheels are straight. If i can get a chance i will try to get some new hyd. Hoses made and see how things work. I also think my cylinder will use roughly same volume to extend as it wud to retract. I'll try to get movin again on this project. Im still working on it just slowly as time allows and im kinda jumping around using materials i have laying around.

 

[Mathias NY]

Thanks for the reply, I didn't realize rock crawlers used the same type of setup. It might be one of those situations that an engineer would over analize, but a real farmer/mechanic would simply make it work.

Keep up the good work!

 

[RyanL]

Im pretty sure they do, mite google rock crawler steering. I basically just adapted the steering system from a 318 john deere tractor. Just used a bigger cylinder

 

[Sasquatch4100]

You could salvage a forklift steering setup the new valves have anti kickback features the older ones don't.

 

[RyanL]

Well i got hose's made and hooked it all up and everything worked real good until i got the idea to speed the engine up and work the steering. Worked fine til i stroked the cylinder out and blew the side out of steering valve. I then relised i forgot to put a relief in the system.